ActionSA unveils governance team, pledging to fix Joburg ahead of 2026 elections

ACTIONSA has unveiled a Mayoral Campaign Governance Team for the City of Johannesburg, describing the structure as a “government-in-waiting” ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

The announcement was made on Saturday, at Orlando Community Hall in Soweto and forms part of the party’s #OperationFixJoburg campaign, which is aimed at positioning a leadership bench it says is ready to assume municipal governance if it wins control of the city.

ActionSA leader and Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba said the initiative comes amid what the party describes as worsening service delivery failures, economic decline, and a breakdown in governance in South Africa's largest metro.

He said the move represents a shift away from what he called “slogans and empty promises”, arguing that the party is building a structured alternative to current city leadership.

“Johannesburg does not lack potential but lacks leadership. The city requires a professional public service led by competent and ethical leaders committed to turning Johannesburg around,” Mashaba said.

Mashaba said the team is made up largely of professionals from outside traditional party politics, with experience in law, engineering, finance, public safety, diplomacy and community work.